Clematis Pruning

Clematis are not difficult to grow provided a few simple measures are observed: Prepare the soil for these clematis by digging as deeply as possible a patch 60-80cm across and incorporating compost. Animal manures should not be used. A dusting of ground lime should be added if the soil isn’t alkaline. Plant each of these clematis 4cm deeper than it is in the pot. We grow quite a few Clematis species and hybrids in our garden and I’m often asked how we go about pruning them.

Clematis can be divided into four groups depending on their pruning needs.

Pruning Group One

This includes the popular and easily grown C. montana and the less well known but beautiful C. armandii. These species flower in early spring on the previous season’s growth and generally don’t need any pruning at all. If a bit of tidying up needs to be done it should be done after flowering.

Pruning Group Two

These clematis flower on both the previous season’s growth as well as on new growth. Generally they aren’t pruned in winter. After the spring flowering prune them back about half way to promote vigorous new growth and a second summer/autumn flush.

Pruning Group Three

These clematis flower on the new growth and include the later flowering large hybrids as well as all of the C. viticella varieties. Cut them down to strong buds near to ground level during winter. They will flower during late spring and early summer. When the first flush is over cut back to about 30cm to encourage another blooming during late summer and autumn.

Pruning Group Four

This group which includes C. maximowicziana and C. ‘Golden Tiara’ flowers on new season’s wood during summer and autumn and should be cut back to 30-50cm during winter.

It is hard to think of another plant that offers so much reward so it is well worth attending to their few simple needs.